Chicago Cubs looking to right the ship against a struggling Pirates club

The Chicago Cubs dropped the opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday. Today, they look to get back to their winning ways with an afternoon matinée at Wrigley.

Coming into this season, we knew the Chicago Cubs might get off to a “slow” start. Through the first ten games, the Cubs are 6-4. While that’s a pretty solid record for the first ten games, it pales in comparison to their 22-6 record last April.

The good news is that the Cubs have been in every single game. Each of their four losses was a winnable game, so those will eventually start to go in their favor.

This afternoon, the Cubs will take on the Pirates again in the warmest day of the season so far at Wrigley. Today is a perfect opportunity to get the bats going. With temperatures in the upper 70s, it will be a good day to hit.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

Pitching Matchups

The Cubs send Jake Arrieta (2-0, 2.08 ERA) to the mound to make his first Wrigley Field start of the season. Arrieta has been in Cy Young form so far, despite a dip in velocity. His fastball has only been averaging 91-92 mph but his command has improved. Arrieta is 9-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 15 career starts against the Pirates.

The Pirates will counter with Tyler Glasnow (0-1, 27.00 ERA). Glasnow made his first start of the season last week against the Reds and struggled mightily.  He lost command and had no control of the running game. Glasnow recorded just five outs, allowing five runs and walking five as well. This will be his first start against the Cubs.

This matchup heavily favors the Cubs. The Cubs are a patient team and will undoubtedly be very patient against a guy like Glasnow. With the wind potentially blowing out for the first time this season,  the Pirates could be in trouble. The Cubs were 14-4 against their Central Division foes last year and are looking for their first such win this year.

Lineups

The lineups are much the same for the Cubs, as Javier Baez will get the start at second. Ben Zobrist gets pushed to right field and Willson Contreras returns behind the plate.

Here’s how the Pirates lineup:

https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/853253272341291008

Keys to the Game

The Cubs need to get off a fast start. Scoring first and allowing their starting pitcher to settle in will be huge, especially with the weather conditions today.

Next: Cubs will still improve despite three straight series wins

David Freese had a big day for the Pirates yesterday. If the can keep him off the bases today, they can minimize the damage he does.

First pitch is set for 1:20 pm CT from Wrigley Field. The game will be broadcast on CSN Chicago and heard on 670 The Score.